SALTASH UNITED boss targets third home win on spin

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Created on Friday, 26 April 2024 06:18

Last Updated on Friday, 26 April 2024 07:37

Published on Friday, 26 April 2024 06:18

Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at KJM Sports

Saltash United manager Macca Brown is calling for his improving Western Premier side to send supporters home happy for the summer ahead of tomorrow's final home game of the season against Welton Rovers.

The Ashes got it right at both ends of the pitch on Tuesday night continuing their strong finish to a testing season by beating sixth placed visitors Shepton Mallet 3-0.

Striker Joe Preece, fresh from his hat-trick in a 4-0 home win over Street, scored twice in the opening half hour to give United a perfect start against Mallet.

Goalkeeper Jordan Duffey emerged as man of the match with a string of excellent saves before substitute Tom Hutton wrapped up the points with an 80th minute goal for the 14th placed Ashes.

Brown said: “It was superb win. A real squad effort once again and we kicked on from our display on Saturday really.

“It was tough to call where the game was going to go in the early exchanges, there were similarities to our game versus Illfracombe last week and there wasn’t much between the sides.

“It was bordering on being a bit flat and whoever got the first goal would probably kick into life, and thankfully it was us.”

Of striker Preece, Brown said: “He’s is in good form, he scored two great goals, his second was an absolute stunner and he’s capable of scoring so many different kinds of goals.

“I’m delighted for Tom Huyton as well, he’s been in and out of the team recently but it can’t be forgotten that he’s been one of our players of the season and for him to get his goal in the end was a nice moment for him.

“But at the other end Jordan Duffey was outstanding, a man of the match display. He wasn’t peppered by any means but he made three or four exceptional saves at key moments which has a huge impact on the end result.

“He’s been brilliant since coming back to the club.”

The Saltash manager also paid tribute to Helston Athletic, who clinched the premier division title 2-1 just along the road at Torpoint.

He said: “I’d like to congratulate Matt Cusack, Dan Harrsion and the Helston players on winning the title, in particular two of my former players and two close friends Rikki Shepherd and Tom Payne.

“You can’t dismiss the challenge Falmouth provided them either, clawing back that huge lead, a week or so ago it was nip and tuck so full credit to them as well, and I wish Westy (Andy Westgarth) all the best in the play-offs.

“For us? It has been an excellent couple of months. We set some targets back in February and since then we’re fourth in the form table and averaging just under two points per game, so it seems like one or two things are starting to click.

“It’s important we finish on a high, we’ve got our final home game tomorrow and the fans have been fantastic towards us all season, so it’s important to send them off into the summer with a win before our final game at St Blazey next Wednesday.”

Champions Helston and runners-up Falmouth both also hope to finish their season on a high at home in their final league game of the season tomorrow.

Helston host fourth placed Clevedon Town, managed by Alex White, while second placed Falmouth greet second from bottom Oldland Abbotonians before the end of season promotion play-offs.

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